Global Business Forum (IBUS 579)

The MBA Global Business Forum is a themed speaker-series course designed to look at current trends in global business and hold discussions regarding international issues facing companies. Leaders from international businesses and other organizations, as well as faculty members from various departments and specializations are invited to share their perspectives with seminar participants.

GBF for Credit

The Global Business Forum (listed as an IBUS 579 in the time schedule) is offered every quarter with a different theme, and is a 2-credit class. Students may apply a maximum of 6 Global Business Forum credits towards their MBA degree elective requirements.

2018-2019 GLOBAL BUSINESS FORUM THEMES

Autumn 2018: International Trade Policy – Tariffs and Sanction

This quarter will take an in-depth look at the critical role that trade between nations plays in the perpetuation of business across the globe. We will invite leaders to discuss how they deal with trade regulations, how they manage the import and export of valued goods and products, and complex interplay between trade and macroeconomic forces in business.

Winter 2019: Doing Business with Central and South America

The GBF will host executives who have worked in Central or South America, or have built and maintained significant relationships with companies in this area to share their insights about doing business in Central and South America. Executives will be asked to compare and contrast their experiences in Central/South America with business experiences in the US and other countries, to discuss and identify opportunities in this exciting area, as well as the possible pitfalls of doing work in Central/South America.

Spring 2019: Resilient Global Leadership

Executives are often accustomed to sharing their success stories—but we all know that failures and setbacks are often an even greater source of learning and innovation. So, we are asking highly successful global executives to share the stories that don’t make it onto their resumes and into the press releases. From cultural faux pas to strategic missteps, we’re interested in hearing how leaders have learned from their global mistakes. We’ll also be asking leaders to share how they maintain their optimism and drive despite the risks and stress of doing business around the world.